Salmonella Outbreak linked to Chicken Meat in EU/EEA Countries

Denmark

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control informed about two sub-clusters of Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 have been linked to the consumption of chicken meat in 11 EU/EEA countries. At least 134 human cases have been identified with the most case reports occurring between January and August 2023.

Details from patient interviews in Austria and Denmark suggest that chicken meat may be a possible vehicle of the infection. By August 25, 2023, 97 cases were reported in Austria (6), Belgium (6), Denmark (22), Finland (5), France (19), Germany (1), Ireland (12), the Netherlands (12), Norway (9), Slovenia (3), and Sweden (2). In Denmark, a majority of the interviewed cases reported consumption of food with chicken before symptoms onset. Similarly, interviews of cases in Austria revealed a connection with the consumption of chicken kebabs, burritos or schnitzel prior to the onset of symptoms.

Reports of a microbiological cluster of Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 infections emerged from Denmark in July 2023, with sampling dates beginning in May. Additionally, in August, Austria reported a Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 infections cluster that resulted in one fatality. The disease onset for the first case in this cluster was traced back to mid-March with the last onset date in mid-July 2023. By 25 August 2023, 8 cases were recorded in Austria, and 5 of them reported chicken kebab consumption shortly before the onset of symptoms. Further cases with genetically related isolates were reported in France (10), Germany (10), Norway (3), Slovenia (2) and Sweden (4), giving the total number of cases in this cluster to 37.

Although most Salmonella infections do not require antibiotic treatment, a majority of tested isolates showed resistance to ciprofloxacin, a commonly used treatment. This implies that other antibiotics may need to be used for treatment in the event of an infection. The clusters represent a fraction of all S. Enteritidis ST11 infections, underscoring the need for sustained monitoring and control of food sources in the EU/EEA.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control urged Countries to report related cases and strengthen collaboration between public health, food safety, and veterinary authorities. The importance of thorough cooking of meat and poultry and avoiding cross-contamination cannot be overstated, particularly for those that are especially vulnerable, such as the very young, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

In case you are experiencing Salmonella symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Source: www.ecdc.europa.eu